Further financial support on way for American pig farmers affected by ongoing trade disputes

Pork producers in the United States have welcomed the launch of the second round of payments under the country’s farm aid program.

The second phase of the assistance plan’s market facilitation portion is now live, the Trump administration announced, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) said.

In late August, the USDA released the assistance programme’s framework. The government established the aid package to relieve American farmers who are suffering financially from punitive tariffs placed on US farm goods.

American pork faces two 25% duties from China and a 20% tariff from Mexico, the NPPC said.

USDA’s assistance program offers eligible pork producers direct payments of US$8 per animal, split into two equal payments of US$4. The payment is based on the number of animals a farmer had on August 1 or on any day between July 15 and August. 15, whichever option is most representative of the operation.

Producers can sign up for the market facilitation program until January 15.

In the farm aid package, the government also committed to the purchase of American pork for federal food assistance programs, the release said. Last week, the government bought its first shipment of pork, which it delivered to food banks across the country.

Jim Heimerl, NPPC’s president, said: “We need to end these trade disputes soon and open new markets, so we can export to consumers around the globe the safest, most nutritious pork in the world.”